OLYMPIA– Modifications to hunting rules for the upcoming 2002 fall season are scheduled to be adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission in a meeting April 12 and 13 in Ellensburg.

The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. April 12 and re-convene at 9 a.m. April 13, with both sessions taking place in the Fine Arts Building of the Kittitas County Fairgrounds, 512 N. Poplar St.,. Ellensburg.

The proposed hunting rules establish 2002 permit levels and make minor adjustments to elk, deer and other big-game general seasons set in a previously-adopted, three-year hunting rules package. The modifications are proposed in response to animal damage complaints or changes in animal population numbers.

The proposals include additional branched bull elk permits in the Colockum area; elimination of bull elk permits for two game management units in the Blue Mountains, and slight adjustments to moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat permit numbers. In addition, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff is recommending the commission retain an any-deer youth hunt in the Okanogan.

The commission also is expected to take action on a proposal to reclassify the peregrine falcon from a state endangered species to a state sensitive species. The proposed reduction in state protection status for the peregrine falcon results from an increase in the birds' numbers from only five nesting pairs in the state in 1980 to 72 known nesting pairs last year. The protection revision follows federal action in 1999 to de-list the falcon.

In other business the commission is scheduled to:

Hear a briefing from WDFW staff on harvest data from other states regarding the use of battery-powered or electronic waterfowl decoys. The commission voted last August to ban the use of such decoys, but has asked department wildlife staff to provide updated information on the use of such decoys elsewhere.

Consider adopting a revised plan for rotenone use in lake and stream rehabilitation.

Approve a measure to set and implement priorities for the use of surplus salmon eggs.